GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 5 definitions

1.       
   While (?), n. [AS. hwīl; akin to OS. hwīl, hwīla, OFries. hwīle, D. wigl, G. weile, OHG. wīla, hwīla, hwīl, Icel. hvīla a bed, hvīld rest, Sw. hvila, Dan. hvile, Goth. hweila a time, and probably to L. quietus quiet, and perhaps to Gr.  the proper time of season. √20.  Cf. Quiet, Whilom.]
   1. Space of time, or continued duration, esp. when short; a time; as, “one while we thought him innocent”.  “All this while.”  Shak.
   
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   This mighty queen may no while endure. Chaucer.
   
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   [Some guest that] hath outside his welcome while,
   
   And tells the jest without the smile. Coleridge.
   
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   I will go forth and breathe the air a while. Longfellow.
   
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   2. That which requires time; labor; pains.  [Obs.]
   
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   Satan . . . cast him how he might quite her while. Chaucer.
   
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   At whiles, at times; at intervals.
   
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   And so on us at whiles it falls, to claim
   
   Powers that we dread. J. H. Newman.
   
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   -- The while, The whiles, in or during the time that; meantime; while. Tennyson. -- Within a while, in a short time; soon. -- Worth while, worth the time which it requires; worth the time and pains; hence, worth the expense; as, it is not always worth while for a man to prosecute for small debts.
   
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2.       
   While, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Whiling.] To cause to pass away pleasantly or without irksomeness or disgust; to spend or pass; -- usually followed by away.
   
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   The lovely lady whiled the hours away. Longfellow.
   
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3.       
   While, v. i. To loiter.  [R.]  Spectator.
   
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4.       
   While, conj.
   1. During the time that; as long as; whilst; at the same time that; as, “while I write, you sleep”.  “While I have time and space.”  Chaucer.
   
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   Use your memory; you will sensibly experience a gradual improvement, while you take care not to overload it. I. Watts.
   
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   2. Hence, under which circumstances; in which case; though; whereas.
   
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   While as, While that, during or at the time that. [Obs.]
   
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5.       
   While, prep. Until; till.  [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
   
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   I may be conveyed into your chamber;
   
   I'll lie under your bed while midnight. Beau. & Fl.
   
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